May 21st, 2010 by Doree

Note: This post has been updated since first published.

Thousands more bicyclists than usual will be riding today, because it’s the annual Bike to Work Day. On his usual ride into work today, Dale snapped this picture just before 7 a.m., of a well-equipped cyclist heading south on Greenwood Avenue by Ken’s Market.

Cascade Bicycle Club has teamed up with a number of other businesses to provide 44 commute stations throughout the region, offering freebies like water bottles and snacks, providing information on cycling, and some even have bicycle technicians ready to fix your flat tire.

At a commuter station behind Hale’s Ales, Christa Michel of Ballard’s Bike Sport marveled at the number of riders this morning and in general. “It’s a lot of pepole. A lot more women this year. We sold out of our women’s bikes this year.”

In Fremont, hundreds of cyclists stopped to grab free goodies, including water bottles and safety lights from Bike to Work sponsor F5, as well as bike bells and socks from Smartwool (if you were willing to trade in the pair you were wearing).

At about 7:30, 100+ riders followed Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn up Dexter Avenue and into downtown Seattle…

…where the mayor and riders took part in a Cascade Bicycle Club bike rally outside City Hall.

If you took any pictures on your way into work, please share them with us. And our news partners at The Seattle Times have an article today about the dangers of biking in certain areas, along with links to Bike to Work Day coverage from other news websites in the region.

Later today, Ballard will continue the biking fun with its Summer Streets party. From 4-7 p.m. along 22nd Avenue between Ballard Avenue NW and NW Market Street, the street will be closed to cars and opened up to cyclists for free bike maintenance, a spin on the seven-seat conference bike by the Dutch Bicycle Company, booths with cycling-related giveaways, and more.

May 20th, 2010 by Doree

Seattle’s annual Bike to Work Day is like a party on wheels. Cyclists come out of the woodwork to show their street cred and hopefully pick up some free goodies.

To celebrate Bike Month in May, Puget Sound residents are invited to join Cascade Bicycle Club at this year’s Bike to Work Day sponsored by F5. F5 Bike to Work Day gives residents the opportunity to help make Seattle a more safe and bicycle friendly community by utilizing alternative transportation to work.

From 6 – 9 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2010, bicycle commuters can stop by one of 44 designated commute stations located throughout King, Snohomish and Kitsap counties for commuting information, snacks, Cascade Bicycle Club materials and swag. Participants may enter the F5 Bike to Work Day drawing to win prizes including a bicycle and bike gear and also have their bikes spot-checked by the bike shop station sponsors.

The F5 Bike to Work Day Rally will kick off at 7:30 a.m. outside Seattle City Hall and will feature several City of Seattle officials and other VIP speakers, music, free water bottles and maps. In 2009, Bike to Work Day rallied nearly 20,000 bike commuters. For more information, please visit www.cascade.org

The city of Seattle says it expects about 10,000 cyclists to participate during both the morning and afternoon commutes, so please share the road if you’re driving. The commute stations closest to our neighborhood are the Fremont Bridge, North Seattle Community College (at the flagpole in front of the school), and in Green Lake at NE Ravenna Blvd. and Woodlawn Ave. NE.

Later in the day, it’s Ballard’s Summer Streets Party from 4-7 p.m. along NW 22nd Avenue, between Ballard Avenue NW and NW Market Street. (The street will be closed from about 2–8 p.m. for set up and take down.)

Walk. Bike. Shop. Play. Breathe. On Friday, May 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 22nd Avenue is being opened up and connected to Bergen Place Park creating one large park. Cascade Bicycle Club has partnered with the city to make this a great event.

Swing by one of Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods after work or school and help celebrate Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike to Work Day. Come out to play on the streets, enjoy fun interactive events and drop by local businesses. Ballard will be rocking with unique and fun activities.

Make executive decisions from the seven-seat Conference Bike and try out other innovative Dutch Bike Company bikes